The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR) is proposing a hunt of a tiny population of 467 elk in the Bancroft/North Hastings area, not far from Algonquin Park.
Historically, elk were widespread across North America. But by the 1800s, human settlement and overhunting caused the eastern elk to be totally wiped out. The OMNR undertook an elk restoration programme and 10 years ago released 443 western elk from Elk Island National Park in Alberta to four locations in Ontario.
Of the 443, 104 were released in Lake of the Woods, 47 in Lake Huron North Shore, 172in Nipissing/French River and 120 in Bancroft/North Hastings. Only the Bancroft/North Hastings herds which have increased from 120 in 2000 to 467 in 2010 are under fire.
Because of intense pressure from hunting and agricultural interests, the OMNR staff are proposing a hunt of the tiny Bancroft/North Hastings elk population. OMNR staff argue that the Bancroft/North Hastings population can sustain a hunt, even though under any other circumstances these elk would be considered endangered. In addition, OMNR staff will consider allowing farmers to hire agents to shoot any elk who are damaging agricultural property.
Six notices, all pertaining to the management of these elk, are posted on the Environmental Bill of Rights (EBR) Registry. The deadline for comment on all six postings is October 14, 2010.
We need your help to stop this proposed hunt. Please click here for a sign-on letter to Minister Jeffrey and mail it as quickly as possible. The OMNR must protect the elk from the hunting lobby. The letter includes the EBR Numbers that apply to this issue. They need to be referenced so that your comments are taken into consideration by OMNR staff. If you wish to send in a hand written letter, please be sure to include all the EBR numbers.
Thank you for helping!
Liz, Lia and the AAEVPC crew
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